InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Facets of the Living Jewel ❯ Inter nos ( Chapter 13 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the other characters. Ms. Takahashi does.

 

Fonts for thoughts:

[Inuyoukai]

(Inuhuman)

`Others'

 

Inter nos

By Licentia poetica

 

`Damn, I hate trying to hear things in Kagome's time. It's too damn noisy!' Inuyasha sat on a low, thick branch in the Goshinboku, guarding his Pack members and more alert to danger than he had ever been in this era. His ears flickered back and forth, responding to minute variations in the constant noises of the city. `It always makes me nervous, but tonight….'

 

[Our chosen Mate is in danger tonight. We must protect her but the noise of her city overwhelms any stealthy sounds.]

 

(Don't get all tense on us, you were the one who suggested we come here. How the hell are we supposed to protect her against herself, anyway?)

 

`Shut up and let me think.' He leaned forward and looked down at his Pack as they sat clustered together at the base of the tree.

 

After listening to Innin's explanations they had sat in shock for several minutes, no one saying a word. Finally, Kagome spoke in a flat, rigidly controlled voice that was so contrary to the acrid scent of fear emanating from her that the hair on the back of his neck had rippled in instinctive response.

 

“Mama, I think we need some time alone.” She had gazed somberly at all of them as she stood up and with tacit agreement they had followed her outside. Kagome had sighed as they left the stuffy, chemically-scented house and moved into the cool of the night. “I know it's too noisy and strange, with too much light to see many stars, but let's go to the Goshinboku. It will give you some sense of home.”

 

`She's terrified but she's worried about them. Typical.' Her toneless voice had set all his instincts on edge, agitating both the human and the youkai; as the group wordlessly paced to the stately tree, he had ground his teeth and argued with himself.

 

[Calm her. Now.]

 

(How the hell can we? She just learned that her mother's been lying to her for years.)

 

[Her mother protected her pup.]

 

(You got some mystical youkai shit that'll calm her? You do it!)

 

`Shut the hell up!'

 

The group had watched wordlessly as Kagome reached with both hands to touch the smooth area where he had been pinned against the tree and leaned her forehead against the polished wood. When she had finally turned around and lowered herself to the ground, moving as slowly as Kaede on a cold morning, the others seated themselves nearby and he had leaped into the tree.

 

Now he growled softly as he stared at his motionless Pack. `We came out here but no one has said a word. They all smell on edge and uncomfortable.' He flicked an ear as a tire squealed in the distance; Miroku's hand tightened on his shakujou and Sango's head whipped toward the sound, her muscles tensing as she prepared to defend the group. Kagome remained motionless and silent. `Shit. We're all flinching at shadows but Kagome hasn't moved since she sat down.'

 

He turned his head as movement in the house drew his attention. `Her mother is watching us. What does she expect from Kagome? She lied to her all these years, but I guess she was protecting her.'

 

(Kagome'll forgive her. She's family.)

 

[She is Pack.]

 

Unbidden, an image of Sesshoumaru's haughty face superimposed itself over his view of Kagome's home. Scowling, he looked down at his Pack to erase the vision. `Family… Pack… shit.'

 

Innin sighed as she watched the group from the kitchen window. `It went better than I'd hoped, but I know Kagome is angry with me.' She watched the three sitting close together at the base of the tree and winced at the angry scowl Inuyasha sent in her direction. `They are already closer to being one than they know. They're comforting Kagome by staying close to her and Inuyasha is ready to kill me for hurting her.' She turned to clean up the dishes from the impromptu meal. `My poor daughter. I've made her aware of a horrible burden and she must be terribly frightened.' She put a hand to her chest as a sympathetic pain constricted her heart. `I wish that she just had the usual teenage problems to deal with…but I've known for a long time that she wouldn't have a normal life. The other three must be having difficulty trying to understand and cope, too. I wonder if I explained it any better this time around? I wish I knew what I had said before and if it worked.' She blinked back a few tears and shook her head to clear it of melancholy thoughts. `It won't do me any good to dwell on the time paradox. Well, at least life never gets boring around a Time Lord.' She began to clear the dishes and bit back another sigh. `Inuyasha didn't even finish his ramen.'

 

Outside in the tree, Inuyasha stirred as the acrid scent coming from Kagome increased.

 

[The scent of her fear is becoming worse. This is unacceptable.]

 

He looked down at her and growled softly. She sat cross-legged, one hand over her mouth and the other arm wrapped around her waist, slightly rocking back and forth. She was breathing in shallow pants.

 

[Her scent reminds me of some rabbits that we've hunted.]

 

(She's close to panic. We need to do something.)

 

[Calm her. It will help us as well.] The youkai's normally calm inner voice sounded strained as his youki flared in response to the acrid scent.

 

“Shit,” he cursed and leaped down, startling both Miroku and Sango. Kagome continued to rock back and forth, oblivious to his abrupt entrance.

 

He glared at the monk, daring him to make a comment as he sat down behind Kagome and pulled her to his chest, placing his legs on either side of her and wrapping his arms around her waist. `Go ahead, hentai, and make some stupid remark. I'll hit you so hard that Sango's fists will seem like a mother's touch.'

 

Miroku gaped at him, but said nothing.

 

Seeing that he wouldn't interfere, Inuyasha turned his attention to Kagome. She was rigid in fear so he began a gentle rumble, Calling her but using less intensity than the Mate Call.

 

[This is some `mystical youkai shit,' human. It is the Pack Call.]

 

(As long as it calms her down, I don't care what you call it.)

 

He intensified the sound and she began to relax in his arms.

 

Kagome felt Inuyasha pull her into his arms from behind but couldn't react. `I feel frozen. I can't think, I can't breathe, my heart is beating so fast!' He began a soothing rumble while holding her gently wrapped in his warmth and she felt her pulse slow down in response. She took a deep, shuddering breath as her mind shook itself free from its stasis. `I've never felt so terrified; not in all the battles with youkai and humans, not when Akago found the darkness in my soul, not ever, because the responsibility for any mistake will be all mine. I can understand why Mama didn't tell me anything before this: I'm already freezing up and unable to make decisions.' She took her hand from her mouth and placed it over Inuyasha's as she took another deep breath. `I'm terrified of these new powers. I can't even control my houriki, how am I supposed to cope with this new responsibility? If I make the wrong decisions, what will happen? Will Inuyasha be gone forever, absorbed into Naraku?' The thought that he might be harmed gave her a new sense of determination and she sat up straighter in Inuyasha's embrace, breathing deeply and stroking his hand unconsciously with her fingers.

 

Inuyasha continued Calling, feeling the same indescribable sense of belonging that he had felt earlier that day.

 

(Well, it looks like your Call is helping.)

 

[She will calm and that will help us.]

 

`Her normal scent is returning.' He gave a sigh and buried his nose in her hair to breathe the distinctive, alluring fragrance that was Kagome, continuing to rumble softly.

 

He gave a start when Sango walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. “May I sit with you? It would make me feel better.” Her normally strong, calm voice was anxious and strained.

 

At his nod she quickly hugged Kagome, grabbed her left hand, and sat back against his side. He grunted in surprise as Miroku also walked over, gently touched Kagome on the head, and then sat back against his other side without saying a word.

 

`Keh. I don't know if I like being touched by all of them at once.'

 

(Somehow it feels right.)

 

[It is belonging. It is Pack. They are responding to the Call.]

 

Miroku breathed deeply and settled back against Inuyasha, closing his eyes as he fell into a light meditative state. `I felt compelled to come over and sit with them; I am grateful that Sango initiated the contact. Inuyasha's sounds are almost as calming as a deep meditation and I missed my evening ritual. My mind is not clear and though I wanted to help Kagome I didn't know how to reach her; Inuyasha's sounds are helping to calm us all. I wonder if he is aware that he is using his youki? How odd…I can't sense any other youki or jyaki around us at all.' That thought jarred him out of his mediation and he broke the silence by asking, “I wonder what happened to Naraku? Your mother didn't say, Kagome, but if all the youkai are gone from this era, he must not be here either. He would have sent incarnations of himself everywhere to control things but I certainly don't sense any jyaki nearby. What do you think, Inuyasha?”

 

Inuyasha growled loudly, the sound jarringly feral against the backdrop of the city's constant droning hum, but his tone was quiet and serious as he said “I don't think he's our biggest worry.”

 

“What do you mean?” Sango asked as she gently stroked Kagome's hand. `It's so cold. Poor Kagome.'

 

“I don't like the fact that some Nexus thing is controlling my actions.” Inuyasha's voice, though soft, was close to a snarl. He began Calling again as Kagome tensed in his arms. `Damn, she's so quiet. I wish she'd say something.'

 

Miroku replied thoughtfully, “I'm not sure…gods, how can we be sure of anything right now! But I don't think that's quite how it works. Lady Higurashi stated that the power to control time came from the choices that Kagome makes.” He hesitated before stating his next thought. `I'm sitting right next to him, within easy striking distance. Ah well.' Tensing slightly against the expected blow he said gently, “She also said that Kikyou had caused…had changed the balance of power in the Jewel. Because it is part of the focus of the Nexus, I think that her decision to take part of Midoriko's soul influenced the time threads, possibly in a negative manner, but possibly not.”

 

On the other side of Kagome and hidden from his sight, Sango grinned suddenly as his voice took on its “teacher” tone. `He's trying to get his point across to Inuyasha without getting punched into the ground. Miroku the Philosopher always manages to get around Inuyasha the Grouchy Hanyou!'

 

Unaware of her amusement he continued, “It is part of our eight fold path to nirvana that we each make choices and are aware of the impact of our actions. So that means it isn't just Kagome who will forge the time paths; it's all of us. Because Kikyou doesn't have Kagome's time powers, it may be that the threads of time have become less tangled, and that comforts me. Kagome may be at the center of the focus, but every person making their own choices influences the flow of time. The only difference is that Kagome can see the threads and make a more informed choice for her path.”

 

Kagome stirred. `If you look at it that way, some of the pressure is off my shoulders. Maybe it isn't all up to me.' Suddenly the events of the past day seemed to crash in on her. `Gods, let Miroku be right. I'm exhausted!' She slumped slightly in Inuyasha's embrace, eliciting a soft growl from the hanyou, and patted his hand distractedly. “I think…can we just sleep on this tonight, everyone? I'm so tired…” she said unsteadily. Taking in a deep breath she sat up a bit straighter, marshalling her remaining energy. “Sango, you can sleep with me. Miroku, Mama was expecting you so she must have something ready for you and Inuyasha.” She leaned her head back against Inuyasha's solid shoulder. `I'll face this all tomorrow. Nothing more today!'

 

Summoning some energy from somewhere, she smiled and lifted her head. “Sango, you have to have a bubble bath. I would never forgive myself if we went back and you didn't get one!” Inuyasha's arms tensed around her as she pulled away from his shoulder, so she gently squeezed his arm with her free hand and patted it again. `They're all surrounding me with their affection and support; I have to get myself back together!' She stood up, gently tugging herself free of their hands and arms. “Thank you, everyone, for helping me. It's been a shock.” Then she turned and pulled Sango to her feet. “Come on! The bath will be wonderful!”

 

As the two women walked toward the house, Miroku shifted his position away from Inuyasha. `Was that a whine that I just heard?' He suppressed a grin as he turned and saw Inuyasha's expression; he was staring after the women, ears drooped, looking mournful and dejected. `Missing her already, Inuyasha?' Carefully keeping his voice neutral, he ventured, “Well, my friend. You have made a decision regarding Lady Kagome, it seems.”

 

“Keh. None of your damn business, monk.” Inuyasha's ears went flat against his head as he avoided Miroku's gaze and he crossed his arms.

 

(Now he's gonna drive us crazy, the hentai. This is all your fault, youkai!)

 

Surprisingly, Miroku just sighed. “I wish I had your courage, Inuyasha.” He gestured vaguely to the surrounding city and continued, “This is all so strange…so noisy and confusing, and yet you come here willingly to protect Kagome. It must be harder for you with your acute senses.”

 

“Keh.” Inuyasha turned his head away.

 

Miroku smirked at the monosyllable but continued seriously, “Thank you for that soothing sound you made just now. I did not know how to comfort Kagome and you were able to reach her.” He stared intently at Inuyasha's partially averted face. “You helped all of us, you know.”

 

`What the hell?' Inuyasha kept his arms crossed and tried to look bored. “Keh.”

 

“Inuyasha. I would like to say something about what happened near the hot springs and just now, but you may not want to hear it. Will you listen?”

 

“If it's about Kikyou and Kagome, keep it to yourself!”

 

“Actually, it's about you. Will you listen?”

 

“If it's about the damn Jewel and becoming a full youkai, keep it to yourself!” He growled a territorial warning to back up his words. `Fucking nosy monk!'

 

Miroku was getting angry. `Stubborn, baka hanyou.' His hand clenched around his shakujou and the rings jangled a discordant counterpoint to Inuyasha's growl. “Listen, you baka! It's about you! No one or anything else! Will you listen?” He took a couple of cleansing breaths, mentally chanting a mantra to keep from using the shakujou on Inuyasha's head. `Calm. Peace.'

 

Inuyasha's growl diminished with a surly rumble. “Keh. Suit yourself.”

 

Miroku knew that was as close to a `yes, I'll listen' as he was ever going to get. “You are different.” At Inuyasha's snort of disgust he made a cutting gesture with his hand. “I mean, something about your aura is different right now. It seems…clearer, cleaner. It's as if you've focused your youkai and human energies. Not that it's any of my business, but I think that whatever has happened is better for you.”

 

Inuyasha shifted slightly but said nothing.

 

`Well, I guess I didn't expect him to respond. At least he's quiet and listening; maybe I can say something I've wanted to get across for a long time. After all, he's the one who brought up Kikyou.' Miroku stood and spoke rapidly, knowing he was touching on a subject that would cause a strong reaction. “As long as we're here at the Goshinboku, I want you to realize something important. Kikyou sealed you to this tree. She didn't follow you in death; she kept you from ever moving on and left you. No hell, no nirvana, just an endless, timeless nothing. It was a vicious act, and if it weren't for Kagome your soul would be frozen still.”

 

A vicious, guttural growl warned him that he had gone too far and he stepped back quickly, averting his face. `Not that distance will prevent Inuyasha from striking me if he wants to, but he needed to hear that.' Keeping any censure from his voice he added calmly, “Good night, Inuyasha. I think I'll go inside and see where Lady Higurashi wants me to sleep.” He turned and strode toward the house. `Well, I managed to get out of that with my skin intact. Either I'm becoming better at communicating with Inuyasha or he's getting better at listening.' He glanced back at the still figure sitting pensively beneath the Goshinboku just before he entered the home. `Maybe both.'

 

Inuyasha growled softly as he watched him go but was too confused by his own feelings to retaliate.

 

`Damn him.'

 

[At least he submitted at the end. He still knows who is alpha.]

 

`Kikyou sealed you to this tree.' He sighed irritably as Miroku's words echoed in his head. `Kikyou sealed…damnit! Fucking monk!'

 

(But he's right.) His human voice was pained.

 

[She loved only the human. She sealed us because she didn't trust that we would never have attacked her.]

 

He stood and turned to touch the ancient wound in the tree bark where Kagome's scent still lingered. `I don't remember anything about the fifty years I spent trapped here. I forgave Kikyou because it seemed like she thought she was betrayed and tried to follow me into death, but…Miroku's right. She didn't try to kill me, she sealed me away.' He backed away from the tree, unconsciously gripping the tsuka of the Tessaiga with his left hand while his right clenched into a tight fist. `There was a part of her that hated me.'

 

The Tessaiga gave a pulse under his grip and he released his hold, taking a deep breath to calm his rising anger.

 

[Kagome saved us. She is our chosen Mate and it is only her feelings that matter.]

 

`I wonder what Kagome thought about the Mate Call earlier today. There wasn't time to talk.'

 

(Not that you knew what to say.)

 

`Shut up. At least she didn't reject my touch just now.'

 

He leaped back into the Goshinboku, listening to the sounds in the leaves. His tension from earlier that night had eased but he knew he would not sleep. `I wish that Sango wasn't staying in Kagome's room. I would've entered through the window and watched Kagome sleep.'

 

[We should just go in anyway. Sango is Pack.]

 

(Just make sure to leave before Sango and Kagome wake up.)

 

“Keh.”

 

He listened to the sounds coming from the house, ears swiveling to catch Kagome's voice. The window to her room was open and he could hear laughter.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sango was allowing Kagome to show her all the amenities of modern life. She had washed her hair in the mechanical water fall called a “shower” and she was relaxing in the “tub”, encased in warm water and bubbles from the bottom of her chin to her toes. `I think I'm in heaven. The rest of this era is so strange, but I could get used to this.'

 

“When you get out, I'll show you how to use the hair dryer.”

 

Sango cocked her head at the unusual weapon in Kagome's hand, her professional interest piqued as Kagome attached it to the wall with a long, thin tail. As the younger woman brought it up to her head and pressed something on the side it made a loud sound; Sango jumped at the noise and water sloshed onto the floor of the bathroom.

 

Kagome laughed at her startled expression. “I'm sorry, Sango! I should have warned you that it would make noise! This is the hair dryer.”

 

“I thought…never mind.” Sango gave a self-deprecating laugh and relaxed back in the water, watching through half-closed eyes as Kagome's hair blew wildly about in the artificial wind. `Amazing! Her hair is almost dry already!' As Kagome finished drying her hair and turned with a querying look, she stood up out of the bath eager to try it and dried herself with the fluffy towel left for her use. `I could definitely get used to this time!' Wrapping the towel around her body, she walked forward and tentatively took the brush and hair dryer that Kagome offered. `She's smiling but her eyes are haunted. She needs something to keep her mind off of the Nexus.'

 

“Will you help me?” She purposely held them with an uncharacteristic awkwardness and was rewarded by Kagome's true smile.

 

“Sure! It isn't hard once you learn to do it, but I'd love to help.”

 

They stood in companionable silence as Kagome dried her hair, but when it was finished and Kagome left the bathroom Sango stared at her own reflection in wonder. `I didn't know my hair could shine like Kagome's does. I look…almost pretty.'

 

“Here, Sango. They aren't much but they're cleaner than the clothes you were wearing.” Kagome handed Sango a pair of pajamas and pulled on her favorite comfortable clothes for bed: an over-sized, battered, and faded T-shirt with a pair of old soccer shorts.

 

Sango dressed quickly in the odd clothing and followed Kagome into her bedroom, suddenly feeling shy as she sat on the edge of the bed. `I want to tell her about Miroku's kiss, but I wish I knew how I felt about it!' She nervously traced the stitches in the linen covering Kagome's bed. “Kagome. I have to tell you something.”

 

Kagome bounced into the middle of the bed and pulled her pillow into her lap. “What, Sango? You look like you got caught stealing ramen from Inuyasha.”

 

Sango gave a short laugh but her face turned a deep crimson. “Umm…today? Before we came and saw you at the hot spring? Uhh…well…Miroku kissed me…,” she risked a quick glance at Kagome's face but immediately averted her gaze, “…and I kissed him back.”

 

Kagome's face broke out in a huge smile. “Oh, Sango! I'm so happy! I've been waiting for you two to do that!” She hugged Sango and then looked down at her pillow with a wry grin. “So…tell me. What was it like?”

 

Sango closed her eyes, remembering the gentle but insistent pressure of Miroku's lips, the taste of his mouth, the tingle of his hands on her back, and the desire that had coursed through her body. “It was…amazing. He didn't even grope me until Shippo and Kaede came out of the hut. Then it was as if he…he made this frustrated noise and groped me again. But I don't think he wanted to…I think he didn't want them to find out that we were actually kissing.”

 

“Poor Miroku! Did you slap him?”

 

“Of course I did! What else could I do?” Sango giggled.

 

Kagome joined in the laughter, but suddenly she yawned in the middle of a chuckle. “Oh, Sango, I'm so tired! Let's get some sleep.” She stood up and walked to the doorway, calling through it to her family. “Good night, Mama. Good night, Sota! G'night, Gramps, Miroku, Inuyasha!” Yawning so deeply she could barely hear the returning calls, she turned out the light and headed toward the bed.

 

Sango was already curled up on her side, leaving room for Kagome next to the window. “Good night, Kagome. Thank you for showing me some of your world.”

 

“Good night, Sango. Sleep well.”

 

Kagome lay still, exhausted and aching, but sleep wouldn't come. The day had been too full and her mind would not rest. After a short amount of time she could hear Sango's regular, deep breathing and knew that her adopted sister was asleep. `I wonder where Inuyasha is sleeping? I wonder if he's in the Goshinboku? It felt so good to be with him earlier today, but I wish I knew what it meant. I wish he would hold me again.' She eased gently out of the bed to make sure she wouldn't wake Sango, slipped on a pair of fuzzy slippers for warmth, and padded down the stairs.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Inuyasha's ears swiveled as the noises from the house diminished, leaving only the droning hum of the city. `Everyone should be asleep soon and then I'll enter Kagome's room.” He tensed suddenly as he heard the shushing sound of slippered feet and detected a familiar scent.

 

`Kagome.'

 

He watched her through the leaves as she walked to the bottom of the tree.

 

“Inuyasha?” she asked in a tentative voice.

 

“Yeah, Kagome?”

 

“Umm….would you hold me? Like you did today? I…it felt so good, and I can't sleep.”

 

(It felt good?)

 

[She truly did submit to us that second time! It was not just to speak to the wolf!]

 

`She wants to be near me?' Hope rose in his heart like a wellspring, but he remained quiet.

 

Kagome ducked her head at his silent response. “I'm sorry…I'll go back in.”

 

“No.” He jumped from the tree and walked over to her, looking down into her shadowed face. Gently, tentatively, he brushed an errant strand of hair from her forehead and allowed his hand to linger for a moment against her cheek.

 

Her eyes searched his shadowed face in the perpetual twilight of the city. “Would you…we could talk a bit about today and…please, Inuyasha?”

 

He picked her up, jumped back into the Goshinboku, and placed her in his lap with her side to his chest. It was getting cold, so he unlaced his suikan and wrapped it around her, bringing her closer to his warmth and tucking her head under his chin. He began to thrum the Pack Call, resting his head on top of hers and closing his eyes. He felt her body relax against him and she snuggled her face into his chest. After a few moments, her arms tentatively reached around his waist and when he didn't protest she gave him a gentle hug.

 

“Thank you, Inuyasha.”

 

Sighing, she settled back into his embrace. In a few moments she was fast asleep, her arms still lightly wrapped around him.

 

Inuyasha gave a wry smile. `Thank the gods she always falls asleep when we're about to talk about feelings.'

 

(It feels so good, so right to have her sleeping in our arms.)

 

[It is where she belongs. It is where we belong.]

 

`Home.'

 

Inuyasha relaxed back into the support of the Goshinboku and breathed deeply. He held her close for the rest of the night, awake but at peace.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Translations: Inter nos: Latin; between us.

 

Akago: The baby incarnation of Naraku that contains his heart. My research into the translation indicates that it means something like cold, skillful subfamily/suborder (scientific version, of course my favorite) or cold, skillful filth (probably correct, given what Naraku thinks of his heart). If this is incorrect, feel free to post the correct translation, but I personally like this interpretation.